"Detroit had its 7th warmest January ever. The monthly average temperature was +9.9 degrees. To give you an even better read on our unusual warmth, in nearly forty years of record keeping at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, this is the latest we have ever gone into winter without a temperature dropping below ten degrees.
Since January 1st, we have had only one day with a negative departure from normal, and that was only three degrees below normal. Furthermore, in early January (normal high = 31), we had six straight days at or above 49. Also, 12 of the 17 days so far this month have been at or above 40.
My research into past El Ninos and their effects on our weather in Detroit show that above normal temperatures is a strongly noted effect. In addition, we have had many monthly extremes (both temp and precip) which occurred during El Nino years.
"The final tally is in: yesterday (17 February 1998) Detroit Metropolitan Airport recorded 2.24" of rain, the highest total ever for this date. The old record of 0.93" (1891) was completely obliterated. This is also the 4th highest daily precipitation total ever for the month of February here. Obviously, we cannot blame a single event on El Nino, but it does raise eyebrows!"-- Paul Gross - WDIV <paulg@wdiv.com>